Finally something to agree with Chirac about

[Double Barrel]

Chirac to Seek Law Banning Head Scarves

Dec 17, 11:17 AM (ET)
By ELAINE GANLEY

PARIS (AP) - French President Jacques Chirac said Wednesday he will ask parliament to pass a law banning Islamic head scarves and other religious insignia in public schools, a dramatic and potentially explosive move aimed at shoring up the nation's secular tradition.

Chirac said he also wanted to open the way for businesses to impose the same ban. Muslim groups have denounced the proposal as discriminatory, saying it will stigmitize France's Muslim population, the largest in Western Europe.

"Secularism is one of the great successes of the Republic," Chirac said in an address to the nation. "It is a crucial element of social peace and national cohesion. We cannot let it weaken."

Chirac said he would push for a law to be enacted in time for the school year that begins next autumn. Islamic head scarves, Jewish skullcaps and large crucifixes would fall under the ban.

Companies should also be free to ban the wearing of head scarves and other religious signs for reasons of safety or customer relations, Chirac said.

Adoption of a law seemed likely, as lawmakers from both sides of the political spectrum have voiced support for a law on secularism, insisting France must retain its separation of religion and state.

As expected, Chirac rejected a commission recommendation to establish the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur and the Muslim Eid el-Kabir feast as school holidays.

Source

p.s. my thread title was only in jest. No offense meant in any way.

 

[Enemy Ace]

So, you do not agree with this? or you do?

 

[Hitro]

I do agree with that. Good move. Should be adopted here as well.

 

[IceBlaZe]

Why did he reject the option to honor Jewish and Muslim holidays?

 

[Simon Darkshade]

One concurs with certain aspects of the proposals.

 

[Patroklos]

Because, as you know if you have a calender that has eveyones holiday on it, everyday is a holiday. We would end up ccelebraing the days nothing happens just because they are rare.

-Pat

 

[IceBlaZe]

The offer wasn't to honor all Jewish/Muslim holidays, but only one of each, and each of them is very short (a day-two long) and very important to both religions. I see this purely as discrimination. I thought that it's about time some country honors it's minorities just a bit, and it was suitable to be France - since it has the biggest of both communities in Europe..

 

[Kinniken]

Originally posted by IceBlaZe
The offer wasn't to honor all Jewish/Muslim holidays, but only one of each, and each of them is very short (a day-two long) and very important to both religions. I see this purely as discrimination. I thought that it's about time some country honors it's minorities just a bit, and it was suitable to be France - since it has the biggest of both communities in Europe..

Too bad it did not make, I agree. Though I can understand that considering that the government just announced the suppression of a catholic holiday to raise money toward a fund for vulnerable aged persons, it would have gone badly with the public opinion.
He did announce a plan to formalise the interdiction of setting up of exams and tests on important Jewish and Muslim holidays, to make it easier for children of those religions to miss school that day. But it's very second-best.

 

[Bozo Erectus]

Figures the French government would pass laws about wardrobe accessories. Will concerned citizens be able to report Fashion Emergencies to the Fashion Police?

ring ring

Fashion Police Headquarters: Hello darling, Fashion Police, how can I help you?

Concerned citizen: Hello? Id like to report a Fashion Emergency!

Fashion Police: Thats what we're here for! Talk to me darling!

Concerned citizen: Im on a bus. Sitting two rows in front of me is a girl with a black top and pants...and she's wearing a brown headscarf!

Fashion Police: GASP!

Concerned citizen: Theres more...Shes also wearing a ...wearing a...

Fashion Police: Please continue, I know its difficult but its your duty as a citizen!

Concerned citizen: Shes also wearing a... (cough) a white shoulder strap purse!

Fashion Police: Oh my GOD!

 

[Yago]

Me finding this good.

Separation of church and state is one of the fundaments any democracy is based on.

 

[Speedo]

Chirac said he also wanted to open the way for businesses to impose the same ban.

I'd love to hear how people expressing their religious beliefs in business violates the supposed nuetrality of the state.

 

[Cilpot]

I've been back and forth on this issue.. I think I have ended up thinking this is a good thing.

 

[Kinniken]

Originally posted by Speedo


I'd love to hear how people expressing their religious beliefs in business violates the supposed nuetrality of the state.

When you've found out, please tell me. I support a ban in public schools, but in private business this is plain nonsense
How long again till we can get rid of this guy? 3 years? Bah...

 

[vonork]

Regarding the holydays, the solution I would want implemented is instead of the holydays we have today’s - witch is usually Christian ones. Count on average and give people that amount to have as extra vacation with one exception - you could not as a employer demand that they should not take them out. They would prob need to file for the free time a year in advance. But regarding religious holydays that would not be a problem and we atheist get some extra vacation.

 

[bobgote]

This is discrimination, plain and simple.
Freedom of Religion is a big thing, and some religions have visible symbols of their religion. How can this be banned anywhere? I simply don't understand. As long as it doesn't impede others, Freedom of Religion should not be hindered. Such a ban is one step in the wrong direction.

 

[Zarn]

I am completely against this. It is just another way to attack religous people. It isn't promoting secularism, but it promotes Atheism. Atheism is not the state religion of France...

 

[Pontiuth Pilate]

"Aimed at shoring up the nation's secular tradition"?

They mean Catholic tradition, right?

 

[Marla_Singer]

Why did he reject the option to honor Jewish and Muslim holidays?

I agree totally. That sucks. However, students will just have to give a notice from their parents saying their child won't go to school to celebrate it. I wonder if it will work only for Yom Kippur and Aid al-Kabir... maybe it could work also for the Chinese new year celebration.

Well as Kinniken already told, it's just a 2nd best choice. And since everything in that law is already applied (both banning the veil and free-school days for religious celebrations), I think that the new law won't change anything actually. It's just about writing in a law what is unofficialy done in all French schools since... pfew ! 1905 !!

I guess as always... it will be the Netherlands to do that the firsts... I'm jealous of the dutch, they always take good decisions before us !

 

[Marla_Singer]

"Aimed at shoring up the nation's secular tradition"?

They mean Catholic tradition, right?

That proves you really know nothing about France !

 

[Sims2789]

Seperation of Church and State gos both ways. By this I mean that the government shouldn't interfere with religion, and visa-versa. Chirac is promoting Athiesm in public schools, which is as bad as promoting Christianity in public schools.

a chart to help understand what my definition of what secularism is:

1)State Promotion of Religion: "...One Nation, Under God, Indivisible
2)Secularism(nuetral):"...One Nation, Indivisible..."
3)Athiesm promoted by government:"...One Nation, Not Under God, Indivisible..."